Mental Disorders in Children

The fact that mental disorders can not occur in children is a fallacy.  Children  can have a mental illness the same as adults.  The fact is that although there are different symptoms children and teens make up a large percentage of the mentally ill in the U.S.

There are many physical factors  heredity and brain chemistry that might be involved in the development of a mental disorder.  Many mental disorders can be effectively treated with medication, psychotherapy  or a combination of both.

Diagnosis of mental disorders in children is difficult for normal medical health care providers. Children differ from adults in that they experience many physical, mental, and emotional changes as they progress through they development and are often seen as growing pains. They also are in the process of learning how to cope with, adapt, and relate to others and the world around them. Each child matures at their own pace, and there is a range ofwhat is considered normal for children is a varity of behavior and abilities. A diagnosis of a mental disorder depends on how well a child functions at home, within the family, at school, and with peers, as well as  age and symptoms.

There are several different types of mental disorders that can affect children and adolescents. Children with anxiety disorders respond to certain things or situations with fear and dread, as well as with physical signs of anxiety nervousness;  rapid heartbeat and sweating.  Children with Attention deficient disorder generally have problems paying attention or concentrating; can't seem to follow directions; they are easily bored and/frustrated with tasks. They also tend to move constantly and are impulsive  and are hyperactive. Children with these disorders tend to defy rules and often are disruptive in structured environments, such as school.

 Development disorders in children and they are often confused in their thinking and generally have problems understanding the world around them. Eating disorders involve intense emotions and attitudes, as well as unusual behaviors associated with weight. Disorders that affect behavior related to using the bathroom.

Children with learning disorders have problems remembering and using the information learned and their thoughts and ideas. Mood disorders are persistent feelings of sadness and/ rapidly changing moods, and include depression and bipolar disorder.  Schizophrenia is a  disorder involves distorted perceptions and thoughts.  Tics, these disorders cause a person to perform repeated, sudden, involuntary and often meaningless movements and sounds, called tics.

Some of these disorders, such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders and schizophrenia, can occur in adults as well as children. Others begin in childhood only, although they can continue into adulthood..

Symptoms vary depending on the type of mental illness, but some of the general symptoms are the abuse of drugs/or alcohol; inability to cope with daily problems and activities; changes in sleeping/or eating habits; excessive complaints of physical ailments; defying authority, skipping school, stealing or damaging property; fear of gaining weight; lasting negative moods, often accompanied by poor appetite and thoughts of death; outbursts of anger; changes in school  poor grades despite strong effort; loss of interest in friends and activities they usually enjoyed; an

increase in time spent alone; excessive worrying or anxiety; hyperactivity;  nightmares or night terrors; disobedience or aggressive behavior; abnormal temper tantrums; hearing voices or seeing things that are not there hallucinations.

The exact cause of most mental disorders is not known, but research suggests that a combination of factors, including heredity, biology, psychological trauma and environmental stress may be involved.

Genetics have a part in mental illnesses and tend to run in families, which means the risk of developing a mental disorder may be passed on from parents to their children. Some mental disorders have been linked to chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help nerve cells in the brain.  If these chemicals are out of balance, messages in the brain may not connect, leading to symptoms. Defects in or injury to certain areas of the brain also have been linked to some mental illnesses.

 Some mental illnesses may be triggered by psychological trauma; severe emotional, physical or sexual abuse; the loss of a parent. Stressful or traumatic events can trigger a mental illness in a person with who is vulnerable, and can cause a mental disorder.

Mental illnesses are not limited to adults. Children can also be afflicted and often the symptoms are overlooked or mistaken for other problems.  The aid of a qualified doctor is the only way to find out the nature of the problem.